The National tribune., 1887-02-03

the man for the injury sustained In the service,
but this pension Is on an entirely different
basis. We propose to pension him not because
he has suffered this injury. We propose II as
charity, not as a matter of right as under the
other pension legislation. Therefore. when
we bestow it as charity we must bestow il to
those who are dependent The man who has
or leg of, and he may be a millionaire but he
is entitled to a pension, because il is his right;
but this pension is graduated as a matter Of
charity first upon the ground of dependence
and then upon the ground Of disability.
That is the distinction between the two
classes Of pensions which our friends for some
reason are unwilling to acknowledge and recog-
nize. We propose TO pension those who are
disabled, no matter what is the cause of the
disability, if they are dependent. That is in
no other pension legislation.
Now, as TO the Mexican pension BILL that
gives s. per month TO every soldier of the Next
can war no matter whether he is dependent or
was disabled in the war. The Mexican pension
bill, which has passed both Houses, gives a
pension, no matter whether the man be mil
liOnaire or dependent upon others for support.
am right in that, am i mott i ask the Sen
ator from New Hampshire The Mexican pen
sion bill, which has been passed by both Houses,
gives pension 10 every man alike whether he
be rich or poor2
/ trust that this bill will pass just as it came
from the other House, with no amendment,
because the least amendment would impair its
passage there There are men in the other
House to-day, if / may be allowed to say it,
who are hoping that the Senate will put on
some amendment TO give them an excuse, if
not justification, TO seek the defeat of this
bill. appeal TO every Senator upon this side
of the Chamber, l appeal to every man who
desires 10 promote the benefit of the soldier
rI,yn, 4 a 4.
labor, running up TO thousands and tens of
thousands that we shall not at least do injustice
TO ourselves by placing the least obstruction,
the least straw, in the way of the accomplish
ment of an object so great.
The Senator from Ohio Mr.. Sherman thinks
we ought to do more. Certainly, but do not
let Us prevent doing this because we desire 10
do more. Other bills have been introduced.
No pension bill was ever passed that met the
whole list OF pensions from beginning TO end.
Hence il is but small argument against bill
with so much of benefcence and mercy as this
has in ii 10 say that there are so many things
that ought TO be placed in this pension bill.
That will not answer those 80 900 soldiers lying
in our poorhouses and almshouses to-day; it
will not answer the thousands of others who
are struggling at the Pension Department TO
secure recognition Of their claims. This we
can do pure and simple, and then we can at
tend TO the other measures as they come in
their course.
Therefore / have right to appeal to our
brethren on this side of the Chamber, who
know desire to carry out the doctrine of PEN
sions and their application to their fullest ex-
tent, that they will not seek by word or action
TO put anything in the way of the passage of
this bill as it came from the other House, so
that we may be sure of its passage, and there
will be no excuse given there TO delay or frus-
trate what we desire TO accOmnlish
The bill was passed by the Senate.